Message from Heather, Chair of the Parish Council
We know that people are keeping in touch with neighbours and offering help, but if you have not been approached and you need either contact with someone for a chat, or something doing,  then contact one of the 4 people below as we have been offered help by lots of people and we can put you in touch.

Do you need prescriptions picking up?  We have volunteers who will collect them for you and deliver them to your door.

The website is a very good way of putting out information to you, asking questions and suggesting helpful ideas.  Please check it regularly- it’s instant and hopefully is available to nearly everyone in the village. 

Thank you for your offers of help- we are extremely grateful. 
The contacts are;-
Bob Harris.         550672.   hill.cottage@btinternet.com
Jeff Gough.        550358.   clerk.shotesham@outlook.com
Heather Jackson 550785.   heatherbelljackson@btinternet.com
Ken Munro         550736.   resotan@aol.com 

The next three months!
Now is the time to plan ahead.  If you grow vegetables and have spare seedlings then find a good home for them, why not put them on the website. If you want to grow vegetables but need help we’ll see what we can do. Don’t hesitate to ask us, the garden group will be putting tips and advice on the website. Click here for the all new Gardening Hints and Tips

Some additional services available in or around the village

Medical – As it’s quite difficult to see your GP, recently retired doctor, Gill Tewson, has offered her help as a first contact for minor medical issues, Gill is on 01508 492424 and will try and assist where possible with advice or who else you might go to.

Provisions – Gwen Jackson has pork products, duck eggs and local honey available, you can call Gwen (Fawnfield pigs) on 550337 with your order. She will leave the items ordered outside for you to collect and would prefer you to pay by BACS transfer not cash if at all possible.

Also, we’re reliably informed that there are some good facilities in Mulbarton if you can get out for some shopping. Paddock Farm Shop is well stocked with fresh fruit and veg, the Boots pharmacy is open and appears not to be as busy as Poringland, and a fresh fish van visits on Thursday mornings…..ps, don’t tell everyone!!! 

Some Norfolk buses are limited and sometimes cancelled all together, but Konnectbus are saying that the 84 is still running at present…..watch this space! 

 All Saints Church and the carpark have been temporarily closed in respect of the govt’s advice regarding large gatherings and social distancing, hopefully this won’t cause too much inconvenience for local residents. The grounds of the church are still open for visiting. 

Unfortunately there will be no village events until further notice, but following the Govt statement on the 23rd March, we can at least still go out on a limited basis for exercise. We expect the Common and other Shotesham footpaths will be regularly used, so please remember to keep the required distance away, whilst giving fellow walkers a cheery ‘hello’ – a smile goes a long way in these difficult times.
As we head into spring our village and all its surroundings is coming back into full bloom, with plants and wildlife aplenty. Why not share your walking stories and perhaps some photos with the village by getting them on the website, send any items you’d like to share to resotan@aol.com and help us all get through this.
For anyone not quite convinced by the need for this lockdown, here’s a sobering thought:
Italy, population 60 Million (same as UK) – deaths almost 7500 (including 1400 over last weekend), people ignored the initial signs and flouted the guidelines.

China, population 1.5 Billion (25 times more than Italy) – deaths around 3300 (less than half as many as Italy), China went quickly into lockdown and people obeyed the rules.

Even with the world wide crisis, some people are still looking to take advantage of any weaknesses. As always, please keep an eye out for any unusual activity, remember that if you spot anything suspicious the police can be contacted by phoning 101. 

SCAM AWARE! Due to the increasing occurrence of scams, we’ve decided to feature a log of examples on the site which will feature examples of things to avoid, and hopefully give a general of the types of scams that are out there. If you experience anything suspicious, please send evidence via email (Contact Us above) and we’ll add them to the list. Thanks for your help and, as always, don’t respond to anything you’re not sure of, and you can always look up the Scam Aware website or Google the company name (other search engines are available). REMEMBER, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s probably a DUCK! Click on the link for examples – text msg – Email Provider – Other scams are available!

Ken Munro is the news editor. Please let him know about village news and events via Contact Us on the main menu or on 07880801674.

The DIARY – Click here

The annual Easter Monday event aimed at our younger residents will obviously not be going ahead this year. Other events later in the year are currently under review but are likely to be disrupted, and we can but look forward to some kind of party when the world returns to some kind of normality.

Shotesham Screen…..Cancelled until further notice.

Walking Group – cancelled until further notice.

The SVA will still be more than happy to accept your annual donation. All monies received help us (in normal times) to keep all the village activities going, but more particularly in current conditions, to maintain our website and email information service. Your contribution of a minimum of just £3 per adult, will be much appreciated. Best way to pay is by BACS transfer to, Account Name – Shotesham Village Association, A/C no 23782145, Sort Code 60-15-31. Many thanks in anticipation. 

Conservation at St Martins Church. Friends of Shotesham may be aware of an upcoming project to involve the local community, and other interested parties, in learning about Ancient Building conservation and implementing this learning at St Martin’s Church. The project is been managed by the SPAB (Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings) Norfolk, represented locally by Mike Knights. 

 

The first of three events was held on Saturday 14th March at St Martins covering understanding heritage, measured surveys (old and new techniques), and an introduction to historic materials and decay. The other two events will take place through the summer, dates be published in due course but are highly likely to be affected by our current lockdown. Follow the link for more details. https://www.spab.org.uk/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=748  

 

Summer events –  The planned Midsummer Village Party (20th June) and Summer Fete (4th July) are obviously under review, more info to follow in due course.

Shotesham Parish Council are looking to restore and re-instate the black and white finger post signs, and the South Norfolk Council, though they will supply the materials, no longer have the ability to make them. As a result we may be looking for sponsorship of individual posts from members of the village to supplement any other money we can apply for. Would you like to consider becoming a sponsor? If so please contact Jeff at clerk.shotesham@outlook.com 

Shotesham Conservation Group will be back at work after the current lockdown. In the meantime, many thanks to all our volunteers who look after our various areas of natural beauty.  

Climate Change Challenge – message from Liz Billet

‘Hello everyone
This year the Hempnall Group of Parishes is hosting a series of 3 evening meetings in March relating to climate change, entitled “Our Climate Challenge”. As you will see, we are fortunate to have notable speakers willing to share their experience and expertise on this significant topical subject.’ Click here for details ‘If you need any further information please contact me as below.’

All good wishes.’ Liz Billett
Team Vicar, Hempnall Group of Parishes
Tel: 07891 854219 E-mail: lizzie.billett@gmail.com

 The Local Government Boundary Commission have extended the period for boundary consultation, click here for details

And Greater Norwich Local Plan – consultation and info here

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital’s ‘Settle in Services’ are looking for dedicated volunteers who wish to give something back to their local community. Volunteers meet patients on their day of discharge from hospital to help settle them back in to their own environment. Click here for more information 

Thinking Fuel – If you feel you may be paying too much for your oil, Community Action Norfolk (CAN) have a scheme that may assist. Click here to see how you might save and here to see how it works, or go directly to the CAN website for more details.

Our local police officer is PC 1151 Sherry Locke who now holds the position of Poringland Beat Manager, contact details for all our local officers – click here.

Local Police info – following a recent break, the Police Newsletter is back – March Newsletter

News from Norfolk Police Commissioner –January Newsletter . Also, budget consultation is now concluded, click here for details 

Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)